Method of unloading bulk materials from vessels

Abstract

The method of unloading bulk materials from vessels resides in a mechanical loosening of the bulk material in the intake zone by virtue of vibration with a simultaneous supply of the aerating air in the direction of the inlet opening of a taking device, the aerating air being supplied pulsewise so that the frequency of pulses is synchronized with the material vibration frequency, taking the loosened and aerated bulk material through suction, and conveying the material by the air. A device carrying this method into effect comprises a sucking nozzle connected to the material conveying device, a loosening device made fast on the sucking nozzle, and an aerator attached to the loosening device. The loosening device is made as the frustum of a cone with its smaller base facing downwards and embracing the sucking nozzle, the lateral surface of the cone being formed by a number of spaced-apart separate ribs, whereas the inlet opening or the sucking nozzle is located below the loosening device. The aerator is located under the nozzle and is made as an annular tube with outlet holes facing the nozzle. Installed on the loosening device is a pneumatic vibrator whose inlet branch pipe is connected to a pressure line, while its outlet branch pipe is connected to the inlet opening of the aerator.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of unloading bulk materials from vessels, comprising the following steps: vibrating bulk material to be unloaded within an intake zone to thereby mechanically loosen the material;   supplying aerating air flow into said bulk material in said intake zone simultaneously with said vibrating of said bulk material;   said aerating air flow being supplied towards an inlet opening of a taking means in pulses whose frequency is synchronized with the frequency of said vibrating of said bulk material;   maintaining a vacuum within said taking means so that loosened and aerated bulk material is sucked into said taking means; and   transporting said bulk material from said taking means by virtue of air.   
     
     
       2. A method of unloading bulk materials as defined in claim 1, wherein said vibrating of bulk material and said supplying of aerating air into said bulk material are performed at a frequency from 2 to 60 Hz. 
     
     
       3. A method of unloading a bulk material as defined in claim 1, wherein said aerating air flows across the longitudinal axis of said taking means. 
     
     
       4. A method of unloading a bulk material as defined in claim 2, wherein said aerating air flows across the longitudinal axis of said taking means.